Brentwood Gas Station Unveils New Dinosaur Statue After Theft of Beloved 'Claire'

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Installation of a new dinosaur statue at a Brentwood gas station drew community members on Sunday, months after the original figure known as 'Claire' was stolen and badly damaged. The four-foot statue has now been replaced at the Sinclair station at the corner of San Vicente and 26th Street, where the earlier version had been a recognizable roadside feature.

Why it matters

The original dinosaur statue had become a beloved local landmark, and its theft and damage was seen as a loss for the Brentwood community. The replacement of the statue aims to restore the lighthearted attraction that customers and passersby had come to enjoy at the gas station.

The details

The original 'Claire' statue disappeared in late September when a man stole the dinosaur and loaded it into a pickup truck and drove away. The statue was later returned with an apology note from the 'dino-napper', pleading with the owner not to press charges. However, 'Claire' had sustained significant damage and could not be restored. The replacement statue has been installed with additional security measures to discourage future theft attempts.

• The original 'Claire' statue was stolen in late September.
• The replacement statue was installed on Sunday.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Additional security measures have been added to the display to discourage future theft attempts.